Liquid cooling apparatus

ABSTRACT

A liquid cooling apparatus projects drops of liquid above an open-air reservoir or conduit in trajectories, particle sizes, velocities and volume rates which provide a controlled directional wind effect in essentially one horizontal direction for improved cooling of the liquid on a continuous basis. The apparatus includes a plurality of liquid spray members, each adapted to project liquid drops having drop sizes of at least one millimeter in diameter in trajectories, substantially all of which have horizontal components extending in said one horizontal direction, at initial velocities in the range from 15 to 45 feet per second, and the spray members are spaced from each other generally cross-wise of the desired horizontal direction of projection and have a construction and relative spacing adopted to spray such drops in that direction at a collective volume rate corresponding to at least two pounds (2 lbs.) of water per second for each linear foot measured horizontally, along a line perpendicular to said one horizontal direction, between the endmost spray members of the apparatus.

Elnited States Patent [191 oler 1451 .Sept.9,1975

[ LIQUID COOLING APPARATUS [75] Inventor: Leonard J. Boler, Minneapolis,

Minn.

[73] Assignee: Cherne Industrial, Inc., Edina,

Minn.

[22] Filed: Oct. 10, 1972 [21] Appl. No.2 296,777

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,233,119 7/1917 Parker62/305 1,383,449 7/1921 Coles 239/550 1,586,083 5/1926 Greene 261/1161,778,364 10/1930 Lewis 261/116 1,812,767 6/1931 Bergfeld. 261/921,848,202 3/1932 Scott 261/92 1,868,632 7/1932 Edge 239/521 2,019,92211/1935 McLellan 239/550 2,098,152 ll/1937 Kessener 261/92 2,399,108/1946 Feinberg 261/90 2,428,842 10/1947 Feinberg... 261/92 2,591,1004/1952 Rouse 239/23 2,934,325 4/1960 Haglund.... 261/92 3,425,059 l/1969Babington..... 23 /22O 3,719,353 3/1973 Cherne et a1. 261/92 3,785,626l/l974 Bradley, Jr. et a1. 62/310 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS149,276 3/1955 Sweden 261/92 197,850 12/1938 Switzerland 239/221 406,1928/1924 Germany 261/92 383,680 3/1908 France... 261/90 8,798 6/1908France 261/90 Primary Examiner-Tim R. Miles Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Dorsey, Marquart, Windhorst, West & Halladay [57 ABSTRACT A liquidcooling apparatus projects drops of liquid above an open-air reservoiror conduit in trajectories, particle sizes, velocities and volume rateswhich provide a controlled directional wind effect in essentially onehorizontal direction for improved cooling of the liquid on a continuousbasis. The apparatus includes a plurality of liquid spray members, eachadapted to project liquid drops having drop sizes of at least onemillimeter in diameter in trajectories, substantially all of which havehorizontal components extending in said one horizontal direction, atinitial velocities in the range from 15 to 45 feet per second, and thespray members are spaced from each other generally crosswise of thedesired horizontal direction of projection and have a construction andrelative spacing adopted to spray such drops in that direction at acollective volume rate corresponding to at least two pounds (2 lbs.) ofwater per second for each linear foot mea sured horizontally, along aline perpendicular to said one horizontal direction, between the endmostspray members of the apparatus.

21 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures LIQUID COOLING APPARATUS A preferred formof apparatus includes a plurality of parallel disc-like spray membersspaced from each other along a common horizontal axis of rotation. Allthe discs are simultaneously rotated around said axis in a commonangular direction at peripheral speeds in the range from 2()l()() feetper second, and the liquid to be cooled is fed to at least one surface,and preferably both surfaces, of each spray member at limited areas fromwhich the rotation of the spray members carries the liquid and projectsit from a circular periphery of each spray member at the desired dropvelocities and initial trajectories, substantially all of which havehorizontal components extending in one common horizon' tal direction togenerate the desired wind effect in that direction. The apparatus can befloated on the surface of a liquid reservoir or mounted on stationarysupports in or along an edge of a suitable reservoir or conduit.

In one embodiment, means for selective rotation of such disc-like spraymembers in either angular direction provides a choice of the directionin which the wind effect is established. Additional features ofconstruction and operation are also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO OTHER APPLICATIONS Ser. lnvcntor(s) Title Nos.

Leonard J. Boler and Modular Liquid Mandel L. Desnick Cooling Spray (nowU.S. Pat. No. 3,856,280) Units 29fi 778 Leonard J. Bolcr Liquid CoolingAssemblies 296.779

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various forms of liquid cooling apparatushave been previously developed, which are designed to provide a desiredcooling of heated liquids. For example, it has been customary in manycases to obtain cooling liquids for electric power generating plants bydrawing such liquids from a nearby stream, lake or other natural waters.In some cases the liquid is returned to the natural source after thedesired cooling operation is complete. Since such liquid has been usedfor cooling, its temperature at the point of discharge from such a plantis higher than the temperature of the original source. Thus there is apossibility of so-called thermal pollution of the natural waters byreintroduction of liquid at a higher temperature.

To avoid these problems, the heated liquid effluent from a coolingoperation is customarily subjected to various types of cooling, and mayeven be recirculated to the particular plant and used repeatedly for thedesired cooling effect within the plant, after the discharged heatedliquid has been cooled in some manner. Thus some installations have beenprovided with extremely large and expensive cooling towers whichintroduce substantial cost factors in the generation of electric power,whether such towers are used for cooling of effluent for completerecirculation, or whether they are used to reduce the temperature of thecooling liquid to a point where it can be restored to the originalnatural source without undesirably raising the temperature of suchsource.

Large cooling ponds have also been used for receiving heated liquideffluent from the customary heatexchange apparatus of a plant, but theland area required for effective cooling of large quantities of waterfor an electric generating plant of substantial capacity makes thisapproach costly.

As shown in a copending U.S. Pat. application, Ser. No. 47,078, filedJune 17, 1970, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 3,719,353 and assigned to thesame assignee as the present application, at least one system has beendesigned to provide the desired cooling effect by the use of apparatuswhich projects substantial quantities of liquid up into the atmospherefrom the surface of a body of liquid, so that the drops of liquid aresubjected to evaporative cooling as they move up in their projectedpaths or trajectories and then drop back into an appropriate section ofa liquid-receiving reservoir or conduit. The cooling apparatus of thatapplication, however, projected the particles of liquid upwardly in sucha manner that they were sprayed somewhat uniformly throughout the areavertically above the spray members. Thus the drops moved in trajectorieshaving horizontal components extending in a plurality of differenthorizontal directions, including at least two opposite directions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, it isrecognized that the relative cooling effects of prior systems whichdepend at least in part on evaporative cooling of liquid particles orstreams may be subject to substantial variations depending on theparticular ambient conditions, and especially on the presence or absenceand the direction of any prevailing wind .in the area. The presentinvention accordingly provides a liquid cooling apparatus for controlledprojection of liquid drops in trajectories, particle sizes, velocitiesand volume rates which provide a substantial directional wind effect inessentially one horizontal direction for improved cooling of the liquidon a continuous basis above an open-air receiving reservoir or conduit.The directional wind effect is achieved by providing the apparatus witha plurality of liquid spray members, each adapted to project liquiddrops having drop sizes of at least one millimeter in diameter intrajectories, substantially all of which have horizontal componentsextending in said one horizontal direction, at initial velocities in therange from 15 to 45 feet per second, and the spray members are spacedfrom each other generally cross-wise of the desired horizontal directionof projection and have a construction and relative spacing adapted tospray such drops in that direction at a collective volume ratecorresponding to at least two pounds (2 lbs.) of water per second foreach linear foot measured horizontally, along a line perpendicular tosaid one horizontal direction, between the endmost spray members of theapparatus.

The maximum wind effect is achieved by directing the liquid drops alongtrajectories which have very substantial horizontal components; in thedesired wind direction. It is also necessary to select suchtrajectories, however, so that the drops will remain in the air longenough to achieve the desired degree of evaporative cooling. Thus whenthe drops are projected from a level at, or close to the surface of areceiving reservoir or conduit, or when a maximum cooling time isdesired, the initial trajectories of most of the drops should bedirected somewhat above the horizontal. When the drops are projectedfrom a level sufficiently above the receiving surface, some horizontalwind effects can be achieved by orienting the spray members to projectsuch drops initially along paths somewhat below the horizontal.

As a practical matter, the initial trajectories of substantially all ofthe drops should be directed within at least part of a diverging zoneextending from a maximum of 70 above to a maximum of 70 below thedesired horizontal wind direction, as measured at each spray member. Foroptimum wind effect and cooling time, each spray member should beoriented to project most of such liquid drops in trajectories extendingabove the horizontal within this diverging zone.

Preferably, each spray member should also be oriented to direct itsliquid drops along trajectories which not only extend within such avertically diverging zone, but which also have their horizontalcomponents extending along or nearly parallel to the desired horizontalwind direction. Here again some lateral tolerance can be accepted, butas a practical matter, these horizontal components should not divergelaterally more than 70 from the desired horizontal wind direction. Morespecifically, each spray member is constructed and oriented according tothe invention to project its liquid drops in trajectories initiallyextending from each spray member within at least part of a divergingconical zone having a maximum conical vertex angle of substantially 140as measured at the spray member, said diverging conical zone having acentral longitudinal axis of revolution extending from its spray memberalong the desired horizontal wind direction.

By insuring the projection of all or most of the drops of liquid in sucha manner that all of them move to some degree in a single horizontaldirection, even though the drops also move vertically upwardly ordownwardly, or even somewhat laterally, depending on their initialdirection of projection and the effect of gravity, the present inventionmakes it possible to generate a wind effect in that particulardirection. In effect, the drops push or draw the surrounding air in thehorizontal direction in which such drops are projected. Thus, as theimmediately surrounding air provides evaporative cooling of the dropsand gradually picks up a certain additional content of moisture vapor asthe result of such cooling, the generated wind effect draws fresh air infrom the opposite direction and thus maintains a constant current ofambient cooling air in the direction of projection of the drops. Byproper selection of the direction, with reference to normal or expectedambient air current conditions, the apparatus of the present inventionprovides more effective cooling on a continuous basis, even where theambient air currents are negligible and would not otherwise remove thatportion of the ambient air which is gradually satu rated with watervapor as a result of the projection of liquid drops into such ambientair.

A preferred form of apparatus includes a plurality of parallel disc-likespray members spaced from each other along a common horizontal axis ofrotation. The spray members are simultaneously rotated around said axisin a common angular direction of rotation at peripheral speeds in therange from 20-100 feet per second, and the apparatus includes means forfeeding liquid to be cooled to at least one surface, and preferably bothsurfaces, of each spray member at a limited area from which the rotationof the spray members carries the liquid and projects it from a circularperiphery of each spray member at the desired drop velocities andinitialtrajectories, substantially all of which have horizontalcomponents extending in only the one common horizontal direction of thedesired wind effect.

In one form of the invention, the driving mechanism for rotation of theliquid spray members can drive such members selectively in either of twoopposite directions of rotation, so that the desired wind effect fromthe apparatus can be selectively directed in either one of two oppositedirections, depending on the ambient conditions. Also, by adjustment ofthe particular area to which liquid to be cooled is fed to the surfaceof each spray member, the liquid can be projected with horizontalcomponents corresponding either to the tangential direction of movementof the uppermost part of each spray member or the opposite tangentialdirection of the movement of the lowermost part of each such rotaryspray member. The invention further provides a mechanism for adjustmentof the relative areas at which the liquid to be cooled is fed to suchspray members.

In another form of the invention, rotary spray members are supported inan open-topped trough which has a main cylindrical bottom portionclosely fitting the lower circular peripheries of the spray members, butwith at least one bottom sump or drainage section in which a spraymember of greater diameter projects from the common axis of rotation.The bottom of the trough is designed to provide a gutter or drainagechannel from the trough portions immediately below the majority of thespray members of normal diameter, and the liquid which passes from themain trough portion to the sump portion is then projected centrifugallyand thus removed from the sump portions of the trough by one or morespray members or rotors of greater diameter. In this manner, anyaccumulation of liquid within the trough is steadily removed during theoperation, so that the spray members receive liquid only at the limitedareas which are designed to insure projection of most' of the liquid intrajectories substantially all of which have horizontal componentsextending in only one common horizontal direction.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing more detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings which form a part ofthis application, and in which like members indicate like parts,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred liquid cooling apparatusaccording to the invention, in which the spray members are supportedwithin a trough which in turn is adapted to be floatingly supported onthe surface of a liquid reservoir or conduit;

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view on line 22 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, taken on line 33 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 4 is a partial view on the line 4 4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an end view of the device of FIG. 1, taken from the left ofthat figure;

FIG. 6 is a partial top view of the left end portion of the device ofFIG. 1',

FIG. '7 is a side view of a modified liquid cooling apparatus accordingto the invention, in which the apparatus is designed for stationarysupport along the edge of a receiving reservoir or conduit for cooledliquid;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 7showing details of the manner in which liquid is fed to a limited areaof the rotary spray members and is centrifugally projected from suchmembers with horizontal components in the tangential direction ofmovement of the uppermost peripheral portions of each spray member;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 8 showing details of themanner in which liquid is fed to specific areas of the spray members toproject such liquid with horizontal components in the tangentialdirection of movement of the lowermost peripheral portions of each spraymember;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 9, showing the manner inwhich the horizontal direction of projection of liquid can beselectively changed by reversal of the direction of rotation of thespray members; and

FIG. 11 is an end view of another embodiment in which the spray membersinclude a row of liquid spraying nozzles oriented to project liquiddrops in paths which provide a desired directional wind effect according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of thepresent invention is shown in FIGS. 1-6. The liquid cooling apparatus10, shown generally in FIG. 1, includes two parallel float members 11and 12 secured to end frame or bridge members 13 and 14 respectively.Float members 11 and 12 are made with sufficient buoyancy to support theapparatus on the surface of a body of fluid, for ex ample in a conduitor reservoir. The end frame members are connected to each other by thefloats and by reinforcing frame membes 16 and 17, with one or more'bridging reinforcements 18. Lifting bolts 20 are provided for convenientcrane handling.

A plurality of spray members 19 are positioned between frame members 16and 17. In this embodiment, the spray members are in the form ofsubstantially flat circular disclikc plates secured to a rotary shaft 21which has its axis of rotation extending horizontally and essentiallyparallel to frame members 16 and 17. Supporting shaft 21, and the spraymembers 19 which are carried by it, are rotatably supported and drivenin angular rotation by an appropriate motor 22, which is preferably ahydraulic motor of substantially known construction. One or more suchmotors is supported at 23 on an end frame member 13, 14-. If desired, anappropriate flexible coupling (not shown) may be included between theshaft of motor 22 and the common supporting shaft 21 for the spraymembers. Thus the hydraulic motor 22 serves as means for simultaneouslyrotating the spray members 19 around the axis of shaft 21 in one commonangular direction of rotation. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. l6 thespray members have individual diameters of 18 inches and are spaced fromeach other along their common axis of rotation by distances in the rangefrom three to eight inches or more, preferably four inches. depending onother factors as discussed below.

The invention further provides means for feeding liquid to be cooled toat least one surface of each spray member at a limited area from whichthe rotation of the spray member carries the liquid and projects it in aplurality of trajectories, substantially all of which have horizontalcomponents extending in one common horizontal direction from the spraymembers, as shown, for example, by the arrow 24 in FIGS. 5 and 6. Forthis purpose, a plurality of liquid supply conduits 26 extend into thespaces between adjacent discs 19, and a further supply conduit 27extends into the space adjacent the disc 19 which is next to each end ofthe assembly as shown in FIG. 5. Conduits 26 have T-shaped ends withdelivery nozzles 28 and 29 which feed the liquid to be cooled to onlylimited predetermined areas of the respective discs 19 and the insidesurfaces of discs 19. Similarly, conduit 27 has a discharge nozzle 31for delivering liquid to a similar area at the outside of its disc 19.

The opposite ends of liquid delivery conduits 26 and 27 are supported onthe assembly in such a manner as to be open to the liquid within thereservoir on which the cooling apparatus 10 is adapted to float. Thusthe liquid from the reservoir is constantly fed through conduits 26 and27 to the selected limited areas of the spray members. Slidablyadjustable valve plates 25 (FIG. 4) provide means for controlling andadjusting the rate of flow of liquid to the spray members.

In the specific floating apparatus of FIGS. 1-6, the present inventionfurther provides mechanism for limiting the fluid delivery from thereservoir to only those desired limited areas of the spray members whichwill provide the desired path of projection for the drops of liquidcentrifugally projected by such members. For this purpose, the apparatus10 includes a longitudinally extending rotor trough, which is anopen-topped trough with its upper edges secured to frame members 16 and17 of the device. The trough includes a main body or rotor troughportion 32 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 5) which has a cylindrical main bottomportion 33 fitting closely around the lowermost peripheries of the spraymembers 19. The upper edges 34 and 36 of the trough member are suitablyformed as shown in FIG. 2 to fit over the frame members 17 and 16.

Although most of the main bottom portion 33 fits closely around thebottom peripheries of the discs 19, the trough member 32 has adownwardly depressed gutter or drainage channel 37 which extendslengthwise of the trough parallel to and directly below the shaft 21.The gutter 37 is provided, according to the invention, to removeundesired liquids from the area of the spray members 19, so that thespray members will not dip into any such liquid within the trough, butwill receive liquid only from the feeder conduits 26, 27 with theirspouts 28, 29, 31. As shown particularly in FIGS. 2 and 4, the feedspout members 26 have open ends at 38 through which liquid from thereservoir can readily flow into the spout 26 and against the selectedareas of the spray members 19, at volume rates controlled by valvemember 25.

Since the feed spouts, such as 26, are constantly open at 38 to theliquid within the reservoir, there will be a constant flow of liquidagainst. the spray members 19 within trough 32. Thus, when spray members19 are To achieve the desired wind effects. liquid is fed to the spraymembers at volume rates which, when the axial spacing of the rotaryspray members is taken into account, sprays the drops in the directionof arrow 24 at a collective volume rate corresponding to at least 2pounds of water per second for each linear foot measured, horizontally,along the axis of shaft 21, between the endmost spray member 19 and 19'.Thus the drops essentially fill a substantial cross-section or frontalarea of the space above the reservoir, as they diverge vertically withinthe specified zone. The movement of the sprayed drops of liquidthroughout such a frontal area in effect physically pushes or drags someof the air above the reservoir in the direction of arrow 24 and drawsadditional air from the other side of rotor axis 45 across the rotor inthe same direction.

In this way, instead of projecting particles of liquid at random in eachof two opposite horizontal directions perpendicular to the axis of thespray members, the present invention provides a unidirectional flow ofliquid particles which are thus instrumental in establishing a definitedirectional wind effect parallel to arrow 24. This directional windeffect brings fresh air into the area of liquid projection to replacethe original air which gradually becomes more saturated with moisturevapor as a result of evaporative cooling of the projected drops in theair above the reservoir. The projection of liquid particles in thisspecial manner according to the invention thus tends to maintain thecooling efficiency of the apparatus even under conditions in which thereis no natural wind or air current moving in the direction or arrow 24 toremove the air of higher moisture content and replace it with fresh anddryer air. The efficiency of cooling of the apparatus is thus maintainedat a level more nearly comparable to that which can be achieved with theadditional cooling effect of normal ambient winds above the reservoir.In this device the direction of rotation of the spray members and thepar ticular location of the area of liquid feeding to the spray membersare chosen and selected so as to project the liquid generally in thehorizontal direction at which the uppermost periphery of each spraymember is moving. This arrangement is particularly desirable in caseswhere the lower portion of such a rotary spray member does not haveclear horizontal access to the atmosphere. In this case, for example,the lower portions of each spray member are substantially enclosedwithin the trough 32 of the floating apparatus, and it is veryadvantageous to utilize the gravity flow of liquid from the reservoirthrough the feed conduits 26 and 27 by maintaining the lower portions ofthe rotor below the reservoir surface 39.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, in whichthe spray members are mounted on a stationary support above ground levelat an edge of a suitable receiving reservoir of conduit for the cooledliquid. Thus, as shown in FIG. 7, a supply conduit 51 is supported abovethe ground level 52 by suitable supports 53. This supply conduit orheader pipe 51 receives heated liquid, which is to be cooled by thepresent apparatus, through an inlet end 54 and may feed any excess ofheated liquid through an outlet 56 to similar further units downstreamalong the conduit 51.

Supporting brackets 57 and 58 are secured on the upper surface ofconduit 51 and provide bearings such as 59 for a horizontal rotarysupporting shaft 61. On

this shaft, a plurality of spray members 62, essentially identical tospray members 19 previously described, are secured for rotation in acommon angular direction by shaft 61. For this purpose, the shaft issuitably coupled to a driving motor 63, which is illustrated as anelectric motor having an electric supply cable 64 con nected through acontrol panel 66 to a suitable source of electric current at 67. Controlpanel 66 includes suit able connections for a speed control knob 68 toadjust the rate of rotation of shaft 61 and spray members 62, as well asa reversing control knob 69 which can be operated to cause rotation ofthe shaft 61 selectively in either angular direction of rotation.

In this case, the means for feeding liquid to limited areas of the spraymembers 62 include the conduits 7E which are suitably connected at oneend to the interior of supply conduit 51, and which have dischargespouts 72 for directing the liquid to be cooled against the desiredlimited areas of the circular, disc-like spray members 62. Forconvenience, conduit 71 has been shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 and projectingdirectly and rigidly upwardly from supply conduit 51. to the desiredlimited areas of liquid feeding. It should be understood, however, thatconduit 71 and its outlet spout 72 may be movably supported in themanner more specifically shown in FIG. 9, for desired selectiveadjustment of the exact areas of spray members 62 to which liquid is tobe directed for different directions of rotation, and/or for differentdesired points of liquid projectionv As shown in the embodiment of FIG.8, the apparatus is again designed and operated to rotate the spraymembers 62 in the direction of arrow 73 and thus project the desiredsized particles of liquid from the uppermost portions of the periphery72 of members 62, i.e. a projection of liquid in the general horizontaldirection toward which these uppermost spray member portions are moving.FlG. 8 shows some of the typicai trajectories of liquid particlesprojected in this manner. Thus essentially all of the projectedparticles will be projected toward the right of FIG. 8, and nosubstantial amount of liquid is projected to the rear, i.e. to the leftof the perpendicular reference line 76. Moreover, the point of dischargeof the liquid from supply conduit 71 is selected and adjusted so thatessentially no portion of the liquid is carried all the way around bythe spray member to a point extending rearwardly or to the left of thedownward perpendicular reference line '77 at the opposite side of thedisc. Thus essentially all of the liquid projected by this apparatus isadapted to be projected with some horizontal component of velocitytoward the right. In some cases, as shown by the inclined path ofprojection at 78, particular drops will have a somewhat larger component79 of horizontal velocity than the vertical component 81, which in thiscase is directed upwardly. On the other hand, some particles which areprojected from peripheral points farther around the direction ofrotation of members 62 may have an inclined path indicated at 32 inwhich the horizontal component of velocity at 83 is substantially lessthan the downward vertical component at 84. Those particles which areprojected outwardly from the top of members 62 is a generally horizontaldirection, will of course have the greatest horizontal component ofvelocity and initially a negligible vertical component.

The desired horizontal wind direction is shown in FIG. 8 by arrow 2.Dotted arrows @221 and 92b show the practical upper and lower limits ofthe vertically diverging zone within which substantially all of theprojected drops should be initially directed. These maximum angles are70 above and 70 below the desired horizontal wind direction 92.

As shown in FIG. 8, the cooling apparatus of this embodiment issupported along one edge 86 of a receiving reservoir or conduit definedby appropriate side walls 87 and bottom wall 88. The cooled liquidreceived in this reservoir is shown at 89.

By supporting the spray members 62 at a substantial distance above theground 52, and by providing some appropriate vertical clearance at 91below the supply conduit 51 and above the ground level, the liquidcooling apparatus shown in this embodiment makes it possible to drawdesired directional air currents across the reservoir in the commonhorizontal direction shown by arrow 92, with some of the air currentspassing above the spray members 62 and other air currents passingbeneath the supply conduit 51 through space 91. Thus a greater verticalcross-section of sprayed particles and a correspondingly greater area ofair movement can be achieved by supporting this embodiment above theground, than is possible in the case of the partially submergedembodiment of FIGS. 16.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, it is also possible to operate this embodimentof the invention in such a manner that the desired sized drops of liquidare projected in a common horizontal direction shown by arrow 93 inwhich the horizontal component of movement of the particles is in thesame direction as the tangential direction in which the lowermostportion of the periphery of each spray member 62 is rotated. Thedirection of rotation of the spray members in FIG. 9 is shown by arrow94. In this case, the details of supply conduit 71 are shown in such amanner that the point of discharge from its discharge spouts 72 to thespray member surfaces can be readily adjusted from the area shown inFIG. 8 (and also shown in dotted outline at 95 in FIG. 9) to anotherlimited area of the spray member surface as shown in heavy lines in FIG.9. Thus, for purposes of projection in a horizontal directioncorresponding to the tangential direction of movement of the lowerportion of each rotary spray member 62, the preferred limited area forliquid feeding is located vertically below the shaft axis 61. Hereagain, some variation in the exact location can be tolerated, although Ihave found that good results are obtained at peripheral speeds in therange from to 100 feet per second, if the limited area of liquiddischarge is located on the spray member surface within a radial anglemeasured at the axis of rotation and extending substantially 10 each wayfrom the vertical. The radial distance of this liquid feeding area belowthe axis of shaft 61 may also be varied, and I have found thatparticularly good results are achieved when this limited area of liquidfeeding is further located at a radial distance in the range from 0.6rto 0.9r below the axis of rotation, where r again is the radial distancefrom the axis of rotation to the circular periphery of the spray member.

The desired adjustment of the location of spray discharge point 72 isachieved by supporting the rigid supply conduit portion 71 on a tiltablesupport member 96 which is pivoted at 97 for rotation on an axisgenerally parallel to shaft 61. Member 96 is pivoted at 97 to a movablecarrier 98, and members 96 and 98 have adjusting means for selectivelypositioning member 96 and conduit 71 at different angular positionsaround the axis 97. As illustrated, a plurality of adjusting openings 99in member 96 may be provided for selective alignment with acorresponding opening in member 98. A locking key 101 is then pushedthrough aligned openings, after the desired angular adjustment isobtained, to hold the parts in the adjusted angular position. Thus thevertical location of the discharge spout 72 can be adjusted as shown inthe heavy line and various dotted line positions of FIG. 8.

For horizontal adjustment of the limited area of liquid feeding, thecarrier 98 is supported for horizontal movement toward and away fromshaft 61 as shown by arrow 102. An appropriate rack portion 103 oncarrier 98, and a driving pinion 104 on a stationary portion of theapparatus, can be used to move the carrier 98, conduit 71, and dischargespout 72 to the desired adjusted horizontal location. Thus a combinationof adjustments at 104 and 97 can be used to position the discharge spout72 at either of the limited areas previously described, as well as otheradjacent areas. As further shown in FIG. 9, the fixed liquid supplyconduit portion 71 is connected by a flexible conduit section 106 to themain supply conduit or header pipe 51.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view similar to FIGS. 8 and 9, which illustratesthe manner in which selective rotation of spray member 62 in each of twoopposite angular directions of rotation can be used to change the commonhorizontal direction in which the desired wind effect is obtained. Thus,with the liquid delivery spout 72 adjusted to a limited area of liquidfeeding located directly below the axis of rotation of the spraymembers, rotation of the members 62 in a counter clockwise direction asshown by the full-line arrow in FIG. 9 will project liquid particlestangentially toward the right, i.e. along paths which have horizontalcomponents extending in the direction of movement of the lowermostportions of the peripheries of spray members 62.

Conversely, rotation of spray members 62 in the opposite direction, i.e.clockwise, as shown by the dotted arrow in FIG. 9, will project theliquid particles along paths which have horizontal components extendingtoward the left of the figure. Here again, the common horizontaldirection of movement of the particles is the same as the direction ofmovement of the lowermost portions of the peripheries of spray members62.

Although the present invention has been described primarily withreference to a plurality of spray members which have been shown in theform of flat circular discs spaced along a common axis of rotationperpendicular to such discs, other spray members capable of providingits necessary drop sizes, projection velocities and volume rates of flowcan be used to achieve the di rectional wind effect according to thepresent invention. Thus, as shown in FIG. 11, spray members in the formof spray nozzles 111 may be used. These spray nozzlels 1 11 areadjustably supported for pivotal movement at 112 on supporting members113 somewhat above the ground level 114 at one edge of a suitablereservoir or conduit 116for receiving the cooled particles of liquid.Only one nozzle is visible in FIG. 11, the remaining nozzles'beinglocated along the edge of reservoir 116 directly behind the visiblenozzle 111.

Liquid to be cooled is supplied at appropriate pressure to such nozzlesby appropriate pumping means 117 whichd'rawsheated liquidthrough aconduit 118 extending into a'nearby' reservoir or channel 119 in whichheated liquid has .been discharged, for example,

from the heat exchangers of an operating plant, such as an electricalgenerating plant. By adjustment of the degree of atomization of thenozzle 111 and its vertical angle of projection of particles abovereservoir 116., and by appropriate spacing of the additional nozzles 111along the edge of receiving reservoir 116, the liquid cooling apparatusof FIG. 11 can project substantially all the desired liquid particles inpaths which have their horizontal components extending in one commonhorizontal direction as illustrated by arrow 121. Thus the directionalwind effect from left to right in FIG. 11 can be achieved in essentiallythe manner previously described. Whether a pump and nozzle system asshown in FIG. 11 or one of the rotary spray member systems as shown inFIGS. l-lti should be used will depend in part on the particular volumesof liquid to be cooled, the relative costs of pumping such liquid, theavailable vertical elevations which may provide adequate gravity feed ofthe heated liquid, and other factors which will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art now that the teachings of the present invention havebeen made available. The present specification has accordingly describedthe principles of operation of the present invention and disclosed someof the embodiments by which the invention may be practiced, includingthe best mode presently contemplated by the inventor for carrying outthe invention.

1 claim:

1. Liquid cooling apparatus comprising an open-air receiving reservoir,a source of heated liquid and liquid projection means for controlledprojection of liquid drops of said heated liquid above said open airreceiving reservoir in trajectories, particle sizes, velocities andvolume rates providing a directional wind effect in essentially onehorizontal direction for improved cooling of said heated liquid on acontinuous basis, said liquid projection means comprising a plurality ofliquid spray members each adapted to project liquid drops having dropsizes of at least one millimeter in diameter in trajectories,substantially all of which have a very substantial horizontal componentsextending in said one horizontal direction, at initial velocities in therange from 15 to 45 feet per second, and said spray members being Spacedfrom each other generally crosswise of said one horizontal direction andhaving a construction and relative spacing adapted to spray such dropsin said one horizontal direction in trajectories substantially all ofwhich are initially directed within a zone extending above the open-airreservoir and below a maximum of 70 above the horizontal, as measured ateach spray member, and at a collective volume rate corresponding to atleast 2 lbs. of water per second for each linear foot measuredhorizontally, along a line perpendicular to said one horizontaldirection, between the endrnost spray members of said apparatus, andthereby essentially filling a substantial frontal cross section area ofthe space above the reservoir in said one horizontal direction beyondsaid spray members, said liquid spray members comprising a plurality ofrotatable spray members mounted for rotation around a generallyhorizontal common axis of rotation, means for simultaneously rotatingsaid spray members around said axis in one common angular direction ofrotation, and means for feeding liquid to be cooled to at least onesurface of each spray member at a limited area from which the rotationof the spray members carries the liquid and projects it from each spraymember in said trajectories, substantially all of which have horizontalcomponents extending in one common horizontal direction.

2. A liquid cooling apparatus according to claim 1 in which said spraymembers are constructed and oriented to project the liquid drops intrajectories, substantially all of which are initially directed withinat least part of a diverging zone extending from a maximum of above to amaximum of 70 below the horizontal as measured at each spray member.

3. A liquid cooling apparatus according to claim 2 in which each spraymember is oriented to project most of said liquid drops in trajectorieswhich extend above the horizontal within its diverging zone.

4. A liquid cooling apparatus according to claim 3 in whichsubstantially all of said trajectories have horizontal componentsextending in only said one horizontal direction.

5. A liquid cooling apparatus according to claim 1 in which each spraymember is constructed and oriented to project its liquid drops intrajectories initially extending from each spray member within at leastpart of a diverging conical zone having a maximum conical vertex angleof substantially 140 as measured at the spray member, said divergingconical zone having a central longitudinal axis of revolution extendingfrom its spray member along said one horizontal direction.

6. A liquid cooling apparatus for controlled projection of liquid dropsabove an open-air receiving reservoir in trajectories, particle sizes,velocities and volume rates providing a directional wind efiect inessentially one horizontal direction for improved cooling of the liquidon a continuous basis, said apparatus comprising a plurality of liquidspray members each adapted to project liquid drops having drop sizes ofat least one millimeter in diameter in trajectories, substantially allof which have very substantial horizontal components extending in saidone horizontal direction, at initial velocities in the range from 15 to45 feet per second, and said spray members being spaced from each othergenerally crosswise of said one horizontal direction and having aconstruction and relative spacing adapted to spray such drops in saidone horizontal direction in trajeetories substantially all of which areinitially directed within a zone extending above the open-air reservoirand below a maximum of 70 above the horizontal, as measured at eachspray member, and at a collective volume rate corresponding to at least2 lbs. of water per second for each linear foot measured horizontally,along a line perpendicular to said one horizontal direction, between theendrnost spray members of said apparatus, and thereby essentiallyfilling a substantial frontal cross section area of the space above thereservoir in said one horizontal direction beyond said spray members,said liquid spray members comprising a plurality of parallel disc-likemembers spaced from each other along a common axis of rotation andhaving circular peripheries concentric with the axis of rotation, saidaxis of rotation being generally horizontal and perpendicular to saidspray members, means for simultaneously rotating said spray membersaround said axis in one common angular direction of rotation atperipheral speeds in the range from 20 to feet per second, and means forfeeding liquid to be cooled to at least one surface of each spray memberat a limited area from which the rotation of the spray members carriesthe liquid and projects it from each spray member periphery in saidtrajectories, substantially all of which have horizontal componentsextending in one common horizontal direction.

7. Liquid cooling apparatus according to claim 6 having means forsupporting said spray members with said axis of rotation extending alongone edge of a reservoir adapted to receive cooled liquid and with saidcommon horizontal direction extending from said axis across saidreservoir, thereby projecting said liquid into said reservoir in amanner providing a directional wind effect from said apparatus acrosssaid reservoir for effective continuous projection and cooling of theliquid.

8. Liquid cooling apparatus according to claim 6 in which the means forfeeding liquid is selectively adjustable along the spray member surfaceto adjust said limited area both horizontally and vertically withrespect to the axis of rotation.

9. Liquid cooling apparatus according to claim 6 having means forselectively rotating said spray members around said axis in each of twoopposite angular directions of rotation.

10. Liquid cooling apparatus according to claim 6 in which said onecommon horizontal direction is the tangential direction in which theuppermost portion of each spray member periphery is rotated.

11. Liquid cooling apparatus according to claim 10 in which said limitedarea of liquid feeding is spaced horizontally from the axis of rotationon that side of the axis at which the direction of rotation of saidspray member surface is directed upwardly.

12. Liquid cooling apparatus according to claim 11 in which said limitedarea of liquid feeding is further located on said spray member surfacewithin a radial angle measured at the axis of rotation and extendingsubstantially 10 above and below the horizontal.

13. Liquid cooling apparatus according to claim 12 in which said limitedarea of liquid feeding is further lo cated on its spray member surfaceat a radial distance in the range from 0.6r to 0.9r from the axis ofrotation, where r is the radial distance from the axis of rotation tothe circular periphery of the spray member.

14. Liquid cooling apparatus according to claim 6 in which said onecommon horizontal direction is the tangential direction in which thelowermost portion of each spray member periphery is rotated.

l5. Liquid cooling apparatus according to claim 14 in which said limitedarea of liquid feeding is spaced vertically below the axis of rotation.

16. Liquid cooling apparatus according to claim 15 in which said limitedarea of liquid feeding is further located on said spray member surfacewithin a radial angle measured at the axis of rotation and extendingsubstantially 10 each way from the vertical 17. Liquid cooling apparatusaccording to claim 16 in which said limited area of liquid feeding isfurther located on said spray member surface at a radial distance in therange of from 0.6r to 0.9r below the axis of rotation, where r is theradial distance from the axis of rotation to the circular periphery ofthe spray member.

18. Liquid cooling apparatus for controlled projection of liquid dropsin trajectories, particle sizes, velocities and volume rates providing adirectional wind effect in essentially one horizontal direction forimproved cooling of the liquid, said apparatus comprising a plurality ofliquid spray members each adapted to project liquid drops having dropsizes of at least one millimeter in diameter in trajectories,substantially all of which have horizontal components extending in saidone horizontal direction, at initial velocities in the range from 15 to45 feet per second, and said spray members being spaced from each othergenerally crosswise of said one horizontal direction and having aconstruction and relative spacing adapted to spray such drops in saidone horizontal direction at a collective volume rate corresponding to atleast 2 lbs. of water per second for each linear foot measuredhorizontally, along a line perpendicular to said one horizontaldirection, between the endmost spray members of said apparatus, saidapparatus and spray members further comprising a plurality of paralleldisc-like spray members spaced from each other along a common axis ofrotation and having circular peripheries concentric with the axis ofrotation, said axis of rotation being generally horizontal andperpendicular to said spray members, means for simultaneously rotatingsaid spray members around said axis in one common angular direction ofrotation at peripheral speeds in the range from 20 to feet per second,and means for feeding liquid to be cooled to at least one surface ofeach spray member at a limited area from which the rotation of the spraymembers carries the liquid and projects it from each spray memberperiphery in said trajectories, substantially all of which havehorizontal components extending in one common horizontal direction, andin which apparatus said spray members are supported for rotation withinan opentopped trough having a main cylindrical bottom portion generallyconcentric with said axis of rotation and fitting closely around atleast the lowermost portions of the spray member peripheries, means forsupporting said trough and spray members in a body of liquid to becooled, with the limited area of liquid feeding positioned below theexpected normal liquid level in said body and with the top of the troughextending above such expected liquid level, said means for feedingliquid including a conduit extending to each such limited area from apoint outside the trough and below the expected normal liquid level,said conduit at least partly filling the trough when said spray membersare stationary, said trough having at least one bottom sump portion at agreater radial distance below the axis of rotation than said maincylindrical bottom portion, and at least one of said spray membershaving a greater radius than the remaining spray members and extendingdownwardly into said bottom sump portion for substantially emptying thetrough by centrifugal projection of liquid from the sump portion duringrotation of the spray members.

19. Liquid cooling apparatus according to claim 18 in which the meansfor supporting said trough and spray members includes at least one floatmember having a buoyancy supporting the apparatus on the surface of saidliquid at a first partially submerged level when the spray members arerotating to empty said trough and at a second more deeply submergedlevel when the spray members are stationary.

20. Liquid cooling apparatus according to claim 19 in which said troughhas a sump portion at each end, and in which one spray member at eachend of the axis of rotation has a greater radius than the remainingspray members and extends into the corresponding sump portion at its endof the trough.

21. Liquid cooling apparatus according to claim 20 in which the maincylindrical bottom portion of the trough has a common drainage channelextending between the sump portions below the remaining spray membersfor removal of liquid from the main bottom portion during rotation ofthe spray members.

1. LIQUID COOLING APPARATUS COMPRISING AN OPEN-AIR RECEIVING RESERVOIR, A SOURCE OF HATED LIQUID AND LIQUID PROJECTION MEANS FOR CONTROLLED PROJECTION OF LIQUID DROPS OF SAID HEATED LIQUID ABOVE SAID OPEN AIR RECEIVING RESERVOIR IN TRAJECTORIES, PARTICLE SIZES, VELOCITIES AND VOLUME RATES PROVIDING A DIRECTIONAL WIND EFFECT IN ESSENTIALLY ONE HORIZONTAL DIRECTION FOR IMPROVED COOLING OF SAID HEATED LIQUID ON A CONTINOUS BASIS, SAID LIQUID PROJECTION MEANS COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF LIQUID SPRAY MEMBERS EACH ADAPTED TO POJECT LIQUID DROPS HAVING DROP SIZES OF AT LEAST ONE MILLIMETER IN DAMETER IN TRAJECTORIES, SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF WHICH HAVE A VERY SUBSTANTIAL HORIZONTAL COMPONENTS EXTENDING IN SAID ONE HORIZONTAL DIRECTION, AT INITIAL VELOCITIES IN THE RANGE FROM 15 TO 45 FEET PER SECOND, AN SAID SPRAY MEMBRS BEING SPACED FROM EACH OTHER GENERALLY CROSSWISE OF SAID ONE HORIZONTAL DIRECTION AND HAVING A CONSTRUCTION AND RELATIVE SPACING ADAPTED TO SPRAY SUCH DROPS IN SAI ONE HORIZONTAL DIRECTION IN TRAJECTORIES SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF WHICH ARE INITIALLY DIRECTED WITHIN A ZONE EXTENDING ABOVE THE OPEN-AIR RESERVOIR AND BELOW A MAXIMUM OF 70* ABOVE THE HORIZONTAL, AS MEASURED AT EACH SPRAY MEMBER, AND AT A COLLECTIVE VOLUME RATE CORRESPONDING TO AT LEAST 2 LBS. OF WATER PER SECOND FOR EACH LINEAR FOOT MEASURED HORIZONTALLY, ALONG A LINE PERPENDICULAR TO SAID ONE HORIZONTAL DIRECTION, BETWEEN THE ENDMOST SPRAY MEMBERS OF SAID APPARATUS, AN THEREBY
 2. A liquid cooling apparatus according to claim 1 in which said spray members are constructed and oriented to project the liquid drops in trajectories, substantially all of which are initially directed within at least part of a diverging zone extending from a maximum of 70* above to a maximum of 70* below the horizontal as measured at each spray member.
 3. A liquid cooling apparatus according to claim 2 in which each spray member is oriented to project most of said liquid drops in trajectories which extend above the horizontal within its diverging zone.
 4. A liquid cooling apparatus according to claim 3 in which substantially all of said trajectories have horizontal components extending in only said one horizontal direction.
 5. A liquid cooling apparatus according to claim 1 in which each spray member is constructed and oriented to project its liquid drops in trajectories initially extending from each spray member within at least part of a diverging conical zone having a maximum conical vertex angle of substantially 140* as measured at the spray member, said diverging conical zone having a central longitudinal axis of revolution extending from its spray member along said one horizontal direction.
 6. A liquid cooling apparatus for controlled projection of liquid drops above an open-air receiving reservoir in trajectories, particle sizes, velocities and volume rates providing a directional wind effect in essentially one horizontal direction for improved cooling of the liquid on a continuous basis, said apparatus comprising a plurality of liquid spray members each adapted to project liquid drops having drop sizes of at least one millimeter in diameter in trajectories, substantially all of which have very substantial horizontal components extending in said one horizontal direction, at initial velocities in the range from 15 to 45 feet per second, and said spray members being spaced from each other generally crosswise of said one horizontal direction and having a construction and relative spacing adapted to spray such drops in said one horizontal direction in trajectories substantially all of which are initially directed within a zone extending above the open-air reservoir and below a maximum of 70* above the horizontal, as measured at each spray member, and at a collective volume rate corresponding to at least 2 lbs. of water per second for each linear foot measured horizontally, along a line perpendicular to said one horizontal direction, between the endmost spray members of said apparatus, and thereby essentially filling a substantial frontal cross section area of the space above the reservoir in said one horizontal direction beyond said spray members, said liquid spray members comprising a plurality of parallel disc-like members spaced from each other along a common axis of rotation and having circular peripheries concentric with the axis of rotation, said axis of rotation being generally horizontal and perpendicular to said spray members, means for simultaneously rotating said spray members around said axis in one common angular direction of rotation at peripheral speeds in the range from 20 to 100 feet per second, and means for feeding liquid to be cooled to at least one surface of each spray member at a limited area from which the rotation of the spray members carries the liquid and projects it from each spray member periphery in said trajectories, substantially all of which have horizontal components extending in one common horizontal direction.
 7. Liquid cooling apparatus according to claim 6 having means for supporting said spray members with said axis of rotation extending along one edge of a reservoir adapted to receive cooled liquid and with said common horizontal direction extending from said axis across said reservoir, thereby projecting said liquid into said reservoir in a manner providing a directional wind effect from said apparatus across said reservoir for effective continuous projection and cooling of the liquid.
 8. Liquid cooling apparatus according to claim 6 in which the means for feeding liquid is selectively adjustable along the spray member surface to adjust said limited area both horizontally and vertically with respect to the axis of rotatIon.
 9. Liquid cooling apparatus according to claim 6 having means for selectively rotating said spray members around said axis in each of two opposite angular directions of rotation.
 10. Liquid cooling apparatus according to claim 6 in which said one common horizontal direction is the tangential direction in which the uppermost portion of each spray member periphery is rotated.
 11. Liquid cooling apparatus according to claim 10 in which said limited area of liquid feeding is spaced horizontally from the axis of rotation on that side of the axis at which the direction of rotation of said spray member surface is directed upwardly.
 12. Liquid cooling apparatus according to claim 11 in which said limited area of liquid feeding is further located on said spray member surface within a radial angle measured at the axis of rotation and extending substantially 10* above and below the horizontal.
 13. Liquid cooling apparatus according to claim 12 in which said limited area of liquid feeding is further located on its spray member surface at a radial distance in the range from 0.6r to 0.9r from the axis of rotation, where r is the radial distance from the axis of rotation to the circular periphery of the spray member.
 14. Liquid cooling apparatus according to claim 6 in which said one common horizontal direction is the tangential direction in which the lowermost portion of each spray member periphery is rotated.
 15. Liquid cooling apparatus according to claim 14 in which said limited area of liquid feeding is spaced vertically below the axis of rotation.
 16. Liquid cooling apparatus according to claim 15 in which said limited area of liquid feeding is further located on said spray member surface within a radial angle measured at the axis of rotation and extending substantially 10* each way from the vertical.
 17. Liquid cooling apparatus according to claim 16 in which said limited area of liquid feeding is further located on said spray member surface at a radial distance in the range of from 0.6r to 0.9r below the axis of rotation, where r is the radial distance from the axis of rotation to the circular periphery of the spray member.
 18. Liquid cooling apparatus for controlled projection of liquid drops in trajectories, particle sizes, velocities and volume rates providing a directional wind effect in essentially one horizontal direction for improved cooling of the liquid, said apparatus comprising a plurality of liquid spray members each adapted to project liquid drops having drop sizes of at least one millimeter in diameter in trajectories, substantially all of which have horizontal components extending in said one horizontal direction, at initial velocities in the range from 15 to 45 feet per second, and said spray members being spaced from each other generally crosswise of said one horizontal direction and having a construction and relative spacing adapted to spray such drops in said one horizontal direction at a collective volume rate corresponding to at least 2 lbs. of water per second for each linear foot measured horizontally, along a line perpendicular to said one horizontal direction, between the endmost spray members of said apparatus, said apparatus and spray members further comprising a plurality of parallel disc-like spray members spaced from each other along a common axis of rotation and having circular peripheries concentric with the axis of rotation, said axis of rotation being generally horizontal and perpendicular to said spray members, means for simultaneously rotating said spray members around said axis in one common angular direction of rotation at peripheral speeds in the range from 20 to 100 feet per second, and means for feeding liquid to be cooled to at least one surface of each spray member at a limited area from which the rotation of the spray members carries the liquid and projects it from each spray member periphery in said trajectories, substantially aLl of which have horizontal components extending in one common horizontal direction, and in which apparatus said spray members are supported for rotation within an open-topped trough having a main cylindrical bottom portion generally concentric with said axis of rotation and fitting closely around at least the lowermost portions of the spray member peripheries, means for supporting said trough and spray members in a body of liquid to be cooled, with the limited area of liquid feeding positioned below the expected normal liquid level in said body and with the top of the trough extending above such expected liquid level, said means for feeding liquid including a conduit extending to each such limited area from a point outside the trough and below the expected normal liquid level, said conduit at least partly filling the trough when said spray members are stationary, said trough having at least one bottom sump portion at a greater radial distance below the axis of rotation than said main cylindrical bottom portion, and at least one of said spray members having a greater radius than the remaining spray members and extending downwardly into said bottom sump portion for substantially emptying the trough by centrifugal projection of liquid from the sump portion during rotation of the spray members.
 19. Liquid cooling apparatus according to claim 18 in which the means for supporting said trough and spray members includes at least one float member having a buoyancy supporting the apparatus on the surface of said liquid at a first partially submerged level when the spray members are rotating to empty said trough and at a second more deeply submerged level when the spray members are stationary.
 20. Liquid cooling apparatus according to claim 19 in which said trough has a sump portion at each end, and in which one spray member at each end of the axis of rotation has a greater radius than the remaining spray members and extends into the corresponding sump portion at its end of the trough.
 21. Liquid cooling apparatus according to claim 20 in which the main cylindrical bottom portion of the trough has a common drainage channel extending between the sump portions below the remaining spray members for removal of liquid from the main bottom portion during rotation of the spray members. 